PopHorror Let's Get Scared
The highly anticipated Netflix original series, Santa Clarita Diet, premiered Friday, February 3, 2017, and it does not disappoint. Starring Drew Barrymore (Donnie Darko, Scream, Charlies Angels) and Timothy Olyphant (Live Free or Die Hard, The Crazies, Snowden), this comedic horror dives right into the story of a suburban husband and wife realtor team who’s lives are turned upside down when Sheila (Barrymore) inexplicably throws up to death. Thus begins her transformation into the undead. Joel (Olyphant) and Sheila continuously get wrapped up in crazy off the wall situations as they fight to keep Sheila and their marriage alive, so to speak, while searching for a cure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjRnbOgoAUQ
Created by Victor Fresco (My Name is Earl, Better Off Ted), Santa Clarita Diet is a slightly less dark American Psycho meets Dexter. Though Barrymore and Olyphant have made appearances within the horror genre, they are more known for action and drama films and series rather than flesh eating features. This does not stop them from giving outstanding performances and seems to assist in keeping a light comedic twist on a dark topic.
In addition to the acting, the writing helps drive this series. As Joel and Sheila search for answers about Sheila’s transformation with the help of their daughter, Abby (Liv Hewson) and nerdy neighbor, Eric (Skyler Gisondo), things get complicated. During their search for answers and a cure, their secret gets harder to keep as Sheila’s appetite for human flesh grows. From nosy neighbors, crooked cops, gang activity, police investigations, blackmail, a nerd convention, government conspiracy and Serbian legend, Joel and Sheila find themselves in various compromising situations adding a dose of suspense to the mix.
Released a little over a week ago, fans are already asking if we will see a second season. Rating 70% on Rotten Tomatoes, scoring 8 out of 10 on IMDB and ending with a cliffhanger finale, it’s likely that a second season will receive a green light. Though an official statement has yet to be released, the only reason we wouldn’t see another season is if high profile actors, Barrymore and Olyphant, do not return.
Featuring 10 half hour episodes, it is easy to watch this series quicker than Barrymore consumes a corpse. If you like your comedy with your horror peppered with suspense, this is for you. Satisfy your appetite for comedic horror by indulging in this must see Netflix original series.
